Using Data to Identify Hot Spots and Predict Bleaching Events

Part B: Bleaching Hot Spots

Scientists have found that corals begin to get stressed when the sea surface temperature (SST) gets just 1 °C warmer than the highest expected temperature for the warmest month of the year. This temperature is called the bleaching threshold. SST can be monitored using Earth-orbiting satellites, which are able to keep a continuous watch on the state of the oceans around the globe. Data from these satellites are vital for predicting and fighting coral bleaching.

To identify areas at risk for bleaching, start by looking for places where SSTs are warmer than normal. Go to NOAA's Coral Reef Watch home page. Click on the Bleaching Hot Spots icon about one third of they way down the page in the left-hand navigation bar to access the most up-to-date bleaching hot spot data. The Coral Reef Watch HotSpot maps highlight those areas around the world where sea surface temperatures are above the maximum monthly mean (MMM).

Find the cell in the table with the most current data. Click on the Global link for that date to open up a global map of current hot spot data.

Examine the map to familiarize yourself with how the data are reported.